4 minute read
Exercise Knoydart Challenger
This summer, cadets and CFAVs went off– grid for a challenging expedition in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. Lt Col Andrew Lester reveals what happened.
During the May half term, 19 cadets (along with CFAVs from the ACF and CCF, seven qualified mountain leaders and two trainees) took part in Exercise Knoydart Challenger – a selfsufficient and remote trekking expedition – planned and delivered by SMI Chris Heslop of Lancashire ACF.
The national adventurous training expedition took place in the wilderness of the Knoydart Peninsula in the Scottish Highlands, an area only accessible on foot. Here's what went down ...
1. Planning and riding the Hogwarts Express 28–30 May
The expedition established a base at the Cadet Training Centre in Dingwall near Inverness, where participants divided into four teams and spent 36 hours preparing for the expedition. This included creating a transport plot, route planning, identifying campsites and attending presentations on Knoydart history, mountain weather, access, conservation, mountain hazards and risk management. Each team was given responsibility for a different aspect of the expedition. Once pre-training was complete, the team boarded a coach from CTC Dingwall down the Great Glen past Loch Ness and the Commando memorial to Fort William. They then caught the Jacobite steam train (known for its use as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter film series), which travelled over Glenfinnan Viaduct to the port of Mallaig. The last leg of the journey was via a converted fishing boat to Inverie where they spent the first night wild camping on the beach.
2. Trek to Barrisdale 31 May
The team packed everything into their rucksacks, including enough provisions for four days (which weighed around 22kg) and began the 14km trek to Barrisdale. As well as carrying full rucksacks they endured challenging steps and navigated exposed rocky and boggy terrain, which took them from sea level to staggering heights – which set the tone for the rest of the expedition! On arrival at Barrisdale, they pitched the tents, cooked dinner and planned their assault on Ladhar Bheinn.
3. Ascent of
Ladhar Bheinn 1 June
The team stripped their packs for the day's assent up Ladhar Bheinn – the biggest mountain on the peninsula at 1,020m. After six hours of difficult trekking and scrambling, they made it to the summit. Following 12–14 hours on the mountain, including a tiring journey back down its exposed rock ridges, the team finally made it back to the campsite. A late dinner, a long sleep and a big breakfast saw them ready to pack up and move on to the next challenge.
4. Summits and sunset at the campsite 2 June
EXPEDITION
The group walked to Mam Barrisdale ridge (465m) which divides the peninsula. Here some of the team rested while others made it to the summit of Luinne Bheinn (939m). The whole team then descended back to Inverie and the beachside campsite. In total, it had been a ten-hour adventure on the mountain and a great achievement for those who summited. The final night of the expedition was spent around the campfire, watching the sun set while exchanging tales and reflections on the expedition.
5. Bacon butties and
a debrief 3–4 June
After breaking camp and taking a short walk back into Inverie for coffee and bacon butties, the team boarded the boat back to Mallaig, then took a coach to CTC Dingwall. Equipment was cleaned and a debrief carried out, during which the team reflected on what had been achieved. The following day, the group had breakfast, then said their goodbyes and headed home.
Cadets not only enjoyed the experience but also learnt a lot about themselves, their strengths and how to use them, and also discovered areas for self-development. Maybe the most important achievement was recognising how much can be achieved by working together as a team.
Cadet Sergeant Sophie Moule of St Neots Detachment, Cambridgeshire ACF, said: 'It's been the best experience of my life. I pushed myself physically and mentally beyond what I thought possible and have changed as a person because of it. Thank you to Andrew, Chris and team for all the time you gave up to facilitate this amazing experience.' For the leadership team, highlights were delivering – without any concerns – the plan they'd conceived and seeing everyone enjoy themselves while also developing as individuals and teams. For me personally, it was watching a group of tired cadets (who had spent 12 hours on the mountain) welcome another physically and mentally exhausted group back to the campsite, put up their tents and cook them a hot meal. It demonstrated great teamwork, but more than that it showed compassion, emotional intelligence and servant leadership.
